Center feeler stop motion



J. J. STANLEY CENTER FEELER STOP MOTION Nov. 11, 1952 Filed March 23. 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. JOHNJ.STANLEY new ATTORNEY Nov. 11, 1952 J, T E 2,617,450 CENTER FEELER STOP MOTION Filed March 25, 1950' a Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JOHN J. STANLEY i; BY W4 2 ATTORNEY- Nov. 11, 1952 .J. J- STANLEY 2,617,450

crimes FEELER STOP MOTION Filed March 23. 1950 s Sheets-Sheet s JOHN J. STANLEY INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 11 1952 UNITE-D STAT s arts T 0 FBI cs CENTER FEELER STQBMOTIQN John J Stanley, Packanack Lake, N. J assignor,

by mes'ne assignments, to Steel and Alloy Tank compan Newark, N. J., a eorporationio'f' New Jersey Application March 23, 1950, Serial lf lo. 151,418

The present invent-ion relates :to filling stop motions for looms and especially filling "stop motions of the centerfork type. n

Filling stop motions are applied to looms, so that the loom 'will be stoppedif-the filling should break as it is inserted in the shed by the shuttle or if it should be missing foranyother reason.

Filling stop motions are divided into two groups, namely, the side-'fork'typ'e andthe center-fork type. A single filling fork plac'e'd at one side of the 100m can detect the presence or absence of only every alternate pick of filling. This is true because the filling fork can' operate only when the filling extends from 1 the cloth to the box on the same side' of the ioo'm as the fork, which occurs onlywhentheshuttlerests in-the box onthat side of the loom." Natui ally, the filling may break Whell fih shuttle traveling toward either side of the loom. Witha single side-fork-filling stop motion,- therefore, there may be delays inthe detection 'of'a missing pick,- producing thereby defective'cloth.

Filling stop motions are sometimes employed which utilizea fork on each-side ofthe loom. While-these motions operate at each pick-their constructionis such that the loom is not stopped until the missing or broken filling has been beaten into the fell of the cloth. .On certain materials obiectional marksresult-from this beat-up action which remain in the cloth.

Inanefiort to produce cloth free from missing filling .picks anddoublebeat-up marks, centerfork. filling. motions. are employed. .The chief aims. of .thistyp .of..stop motion are to detect theabsencelof filling and to stopthe loom before the lay reachestfront center position, in the par-' lance oftheart .to stop. the 100111 on. the pick."

Center-filling forks are, mounted for engagementwith the filling placed in the Shed and must press this fillinglightly enough so as to be held in inactive position by the filling without injuring it and at the same time must have enough force to' operate thek'nock-off mechanism 'by which the 100m is: shutdown Whenthefabsefice'of a filling is detected. If aswitch is 'employed'fin connection with the filling stopjin this is controlled by a, transmission 'fromthe filling fork. Such a filling stop motion is nota's'sefnsitiveand as quickactingas is desirablgespeci'ally, forhi h speed loom operations.

' Qne o'bject'of the present'invention is to pro de newv a p fp ic pteli-fi li g,st p m tion l i$ lI YQfldil ikzeti r .7 As 9, t ams Qt thepr ise itinv ti i a hs e provided 'a center feeler' fork'operata-ble' to "sense .21 Claims. (o1. 1393-76) the presence of the filling, a switch controlling an electric device by which the knockfoff'may be effected, a light simple trip operate difrom the forkf'according to fillifng conditions, and a transmission from a positivedrive to said switch which is estahlishedor' interrupted in accordance with the position of said trip. 'There' isftheretore, no direct transmission between a the fork and the switch.' This permits a light mount for said fork and," therefore, sensitive and quick-acting opera- All picks are laid in the shedwhile the lay is moving through the backcenter interval. The loom is always started with the la'y in back center-position to 'bring'it up to speed bfore obtain ing afirs't e'flective' pick. Therefore, While the Iay'iS moving from'the initial back Center position to front center position, there is no filling and'i'the detection ofj'th'is absence by the filling stop mo'tion'would knock "off the loom prematurely. To avoid this collditldn, there is provided in accordance with a feature or the present inventioma device for automatically locking-out or'rendering the fi1ling''stop;motion inoperative during the first lay cyclej aftei start-up.

Various other objects; features and advantages of the "invention will" be apparent from the following particular description and from aninspection'of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan'view of a loom'with a'c'enterfork .filling stop motion and associated lock out device embodying the'present invention;

Fig. 2 is a section of the m taken on lines 2+2 of Fig.1;

. fFig. 31s a section 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlargement of a detail portion of the transmission to1the.:filling stop motion switch shown 3;

Fig. 5; is a, section of the filling stop motion taken on lines 5.5 of Fig; 2"and' showing in full lines the motion at the back-center position of the lay. and in dot anddash lines the inotion in the" presence of a filling in ithe shed and after the lay has traveled ashort 'distance from back center position towards'f'ront center pbs'itidn} Fig. 6 'is' a section of the filling stopmotion taken on lines fif sof Fi'g'. 2" a nd corresponding h q oh' elay and the filling condiof 4 the loom taken on lines Fig. 7 is a section oi the filling stop motion taken on lines [5 5 otjjFig. 2, but showing" the motion at the frontf center osition of the lay during beat-up and in' the presence of affilling; Fig. 8 is a section of the fill ing stop motion 3 taken approximately along the lines 88 of Fig. 7, and shown with parts of the lay broken awa to reveal said motion;

Fig. 9 is a section of the filling stop motion taken on lines 6-6 of Fig. 2, but showing the motion in the front center position of the lay during beat-up and in the presence of a filling;

Fig. 10 is a section of the filling stop motion taken on lines 65 of Fig. 2, but showing the motion after the lay has travelled a short distance from back center position towards front center position and in the absence of a filling in the shed;

Fig. 11 is a section of the filling stop motion taken on lines 5--6 of Fig. 2, but showing the stopped position of the lay somewhat before the beat-up point in the absence of filling;

Fig. 12 is a section of the look-out device for the filling stop motion taken on lines l2l2 of Fig. 1 and shown at the instant of starting the loom, while the lay is in back center position and while the shipper handle is in loom shut-down position; and

Fig. 13 is a section of the lock-out device similar to that shown in Fig. 12, but at a later phase after the lay has reached front center position and the lock-out device has been render inactive.

. Referring to the drawings, the filling stop motion of the present invention is shown applied to a loom having a lay ID with its rear side secured to a pair of swords I I each located between the frame plates [2 of the corresponding loomside 13. The lay swords are fastened to respective rocker-shafts 14 for oscillatory operations about the axis of said rocker-shafts and are operated by the usual crank connections (not shown) to move the lay l back and forth along the loom.

Th lay it comprises a beam l to the top of which is fastened a race plate [6 by means of a support H. The shuttle (not shown) runs over the race plate in being thrown from one box to the other. A reed I9 on the lay H] guides the shuttle while passing from one box to the other and serves to effect beat-up operations.

The filling stop motion of the present invention is of the center-fork type having a fork I8 adapted to operate in a lay cutout 20 located in the race plate l6 and in its support I! near the middle of the lay Ii]. The fork [8 comprises a serLes of parallel feeler wires 2| secured to a hub 22 in the form of a sleeve, mounted on a fixed bearing rod 23 for oscillatory movement thereabout. A bracket 24 (Figs. 1 and 2) affixed to the front side of the laybeam l5 by screws 25 mounts the bearing rod 23 in fixed position by a set-screw 26.

For securing the feeler fork wires 2| to the hub 22, the top section of said hub has a series of parallel slots 2! (Figs. 2 and 8) receiving the respective ends of said wires. Screws 28 threaded into the hub 22 between these slots have their heads clamped, against the ends of the feeler Wires 2! to retain said wires in position and to permit their adjustment or replacement,

The feeler fork I 8 1s yieldably urged against the filling A in the shed B and towards the lay cutout 20 by a coil sprin 30 (Figs. 1 and 2) cmbracing the bearing rod 23 and having one end secured to one end of the fork hub 22 and its other end secured to a collar 3|. The collar 3| is affixed to the bearing rod 23 by a set-screw 32 and is adjustable thereabout to regulate the spring force with which the feeler fork is senses the filling in the shed.

All picks of filling are laid in the shed while the lay I!) is moving substantially about the back center position. As the lay moves toward back center, the feeler fork I8 is raised to permit passage to the filling depositing shuttle and to so position said fork that it fall will result in the blades 21 resting on the filling A. To effect the periodic raising of the feeler fork I8, there is provided a rock-shaft 35 extending along the front side of the lay l0 and having one end journalled in the bracket 24 and having its other end journalled in a bearing bracket 36 (Figs. 1 and 2) affixed to the lay beam l5 by screws 31.

The rock-shaft 35 is oscillated indirectly from the drive of the loom and directly from the lay [0 through a positive transmission comprising a long substantially upright arm or rod 40 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) located between the frame plates I 2 of the right loomside l3 and adjustably secured at its lower end by threading to a hub 4|. The hub 41 embraces with a rotative fit a bearing rod 42 extending between and afiixed to the right frame loomside plates l2 and is held against displacement along said bearing rod by flanking collars 43 on said latter rod. The upper end of the rod 40 is pivotally connected to one end of a short crank arm 44, the other end of which is affixed to the rock-shaft 35.

The motion of the lay was it is oscillated back and forth is positively transmitted through the members 40 and 44 to the rock-shaft 35 to cause it to oscillate through a small arc. As the lay l0 moves forward (towards the left in Fig. 3), the rock-shaft 35 is rotated clockwise (Fig. 3) and as the lay moves towards the back, the rockshaft 35 is rotated counterclockwise. The counterclockwise rotation of the rock-shaft 35 is positively transmitted to the feeler fork l8 to raise it into the raised position shown in full lines in Fig. 5 by means of a dog or arm 45 having a hub 45 (Figs. 2 and 5) at one end embracing said rock-shaft with a rotative fit and engaging at its other end an arcuate tongue extension 41 at one end of the fork hub 22. The dog hub 45 is yieldably urged clockwise (Fig. 5) about the rockshaft 35 by means of a' coil spring 48 (Fig. 2) embracing said hub and having one end secured to said hub and the other end anchored to the lay ID. A collar 50 afi'ixed to the rock-shaft 35 by a set-screw5l has a one-directional clutch face 52 at one end and the adjacent end of the dog hub 45 has a complemental clutch face 53 adapted to be positively engaged by the clutch face 52 on said collar when said rock-shaft is rotated counterclockwise (Fig. 5) during backward movement of the lay Hi, to cause the corresponding rotation of said dog hub against the action of the spring 48 and the movement of the dog in a direction to rotate the feeler fork hub 22 counterclockwise (Fig. 5). This raises the feeler fork 18 into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 5.

During the movement of the lay l0 towards front cente position, the rock-shaft 35 is r0- tated by this movement of the lay clockwise (Fig. 5), causing thereby the dog hub 46 under the action of the coil spring 48 to follow the collar 50 in its rotation with said rock-shaft. This releases thefork hub. 22 for rotation clockwise (Fig. 5) about the bearing rod 23 under the action of the coil spring 30 and causes the feeler fork IE to drop into sensing positionon to the filling or pickA which has been laid in the shed B, as shown in dotand dash lines in Fig. 5.

The filling A inthe shedB holds the feeler fork "I 8 "in-partially raised position} 'das'h lin es in FigI5,'-funti1 the said bracket by bo1ts68.

angsta forward'moveinehto he' la I 'eempietd. If during this initial phase of the' 'for-ward moveknock-off shaft 1 55 to which is *spline'd" a dog' 56 movable 'therealong' :by means -of a's'olendid'i 59 controlled by a switch .51 forming part ofthe filling stop motion, as "will" bemore fully fi described hereinafter. The switch 51 is preferablyrof the normally open snap action type. 'Secured1at 58 to the lay'sword 'I l on thel'eftiloomside is a catch member 65. During normal operationsathe solenoid 59 is deenergized andithe-:dog;f56.is.:in axial position on the shaft 55 out of .the pa'thuof -reciprccating movement of 'the-catchJmc-mben50.

Upon the detection of the absence of. a':fil-ling in the shed by the feeler fork; I8, the switch-51 will be closed, in a manner to be .described hereinafter, to cause the solenoidEBtoabeenergized and the dog 55 to bemoved thereby along the shaft 55 into the path of thecatchmemberlw. During this forward stroke thecatch'memberJGO engages the dog 56 and rotates .itfrClOCkWiSE (Fig. 3), causing thereby theshaftf'55to; rotate in the corresponding direction. .The shaft 355 is externally linked (not shown) to a .shipper handle and shifts the saidxshipper .haiidleito the off position and simultaneouslyv applies the brake to shut down the loom beforeithe "lay reaches front center.

The switch 51 is supported on a bracket 65 secured to the underside of the slay b'eam |5=and comprises a springepressed.plungerififi projecting outwardly from a contact housingfil secured to When'theplunger B6 is pressed inwardly into the housing 61..by-=the fork feeler detection of the absenceofatfilling in the shed, the switch in the energizing'circuit of the solenoid 59 isclosed to cause-shut-down of the loom in the manner described. .The operation of the switch plunger :66; although controlled by the operation of the feelers-fork I8, is effected from a transmission".coming'anot'from the said feeler fork [8, but from'the rock-shaft 35. To that end, there is..provided: .a -pawl" 59 adjustably secured -to' the rock-shaft :35 "as by a set-screw and having ,a peripheralnotch 'l'l.defining a catch shoulder 12. 'Anlever 13'is1piV otally secured to the switch plunger 'fiBlat 14 .and has a bevelled end adapted to be'moved in and out of thepawl notch'H. The-lever'13 :is urged out of the pawl notch ll,andforjthatjpurpose, there is provided a U-shaped bar 15 having its bend or heel passingwitha looseyfitthrough a hole 15 in the lever TS-andhaving its 'legs ll passing with a slidefit through "the bracket 65. A coil spring 80 encircling'each of the legs'" of the U-bar l5, bears at' its ends against ith'esadjacent face of the lever "l3wandrlagainstthe bracket 65, to urge said lever clockwise 1(Fig. 6) about its pivotal: connection Withfith switch plunger 66 at T4. TheforwardedgeB'lr-of-:the lay beam l 5 in the region of F the elever 113 .-is bevelled to permit said lever underisthe action: of

the coil springs'to to be raised cleariofithe'ipawl ts; as shown-m -Figl 6.

T0 lower the 'leverla into the path of rotati'on of the catch'fll on the-pawl '59. upondetec- "tion of-the-absenceof a filleriin the shed by the feeler fork 18,} there is1pro'vided a simple .light trip in the formof an upright plate guided for up-and down movement across theifront edge ofthe'lay beam I'S byaguide p1ate86 secured to the top of said'lay'be'amasi for example,:by screws 81 and having a slot through which said trip passes with a free slide fit. The upper end 'of said-trip is bent to "form' a'zflange 88 which extends into a. cutout :90 formedin the fork .hub: 22

andwhichengages one edge x9l of thearcuate section '92 :or said hub'defined :byxsaid cutout.

*When the fork'hub 22 rotates clockwise (Fig.'10 as a resultof the detection of the absence'of 1a fillingiinl the shed,1the trip85 islowered bythe 'arcuate section 92 of said hub.

-Thetrip :85 has a long narrow defile or slot 94T- tdpermit said :trip .to straddle the outerend of the lever Hand to move said lever counterclockof the pawl ;69 clockwisecauses the catch shoulder "i2 on'saidpawl engagingthe outer end of said lever to move said lever 'endwise and thereby to move the plunger 65 of the switch 51inward1y into position to close the .switch'eontacts. This, through the operation of the knockofi'mecha nism, will shift the shipperyhandleinto .ofi position and will apply the brake as described, thereby shutting down the loom.

Although the operation of the filling stop motion so far'described has beenmade apparent,it is herein summarized.

-As the lay I0 is moved back and forth, the rock-shaft 35 is rocked'back and forth. 'While that-lay I0 is moving through the back center interval, thepick of'filling A is being laid in the shed-B. At the same-time, the rock-shaft. 35=is being rotated counterclockwise (Fig. 5) by the members 40 and 44, and this causes the dog 45 through the clutch engagement between its hub 46 and the collar 50-on said rock-shaft to-rotate the fork hub 22 counterclockwise, and raise thereby the feeler fork l8 into-the position shown in full lines in Figs. -5 .and 6.

As the lay IE3 moves-towards front centeryposition from -the position shown in-Figs. 5 and 6, the rock-shaft 35 reverses its rotation clockwise and-releases thereby the fork hub 22 for rotation clockwise under-the action of the spring-:50, until the feeler wires 2| rest in partially raised position on the .filling A in the shed B, as shown in dot-and dash lines'in Figs. 5 and 6. The feeler wires 2 held in this partially raised position bythe filling A in the shed B during initial phase of the movement of the lay I0 towards front-- center position, hold the fork hub 22 against further clockwise rotation. In this'held position of the 'fork hub .22,- the lever 13 is in raised;position clear ofthe path-of rotation of the catch shoulder 'l2.-on the;pawl 69. These feeler wires 2t areheld by the filling A in the shed B-in partially raised position long enough to cause :the'catch shoulder l2"on the-;pawl;69 to-rotate*pastj.the outeryend. of thelever z'i3zas shown in Figs. land 9.

-"-As-xthe" lay' 'lfl continues its movement towards fronttcente'r positiomthe feeler wires. 21 ride past the filling A1 inithe shed' B.- and arereleased for movement into the lay cutout 20. This lowers the trip 85, but only far enough to lower the lever 13 on to the periphery of the pawl 69 past or clear of the catch shoulder I2, until the lay I reaches the front center position shown in Figs. '7 and 9. In this position, the feeler wires 2| are held in the lay cutout 20 horizontally by the engagement of the lever I3 with the periphery of the pawl 60. During these operations, the. lever I3 remains inactive and the switch 51 thereby remains open.

During return movement of the lay I0 towards back center position shown in Figs. and 6, the rock-shaft 35 rotates counterclockwise and this raises the feeler wires 2I into open or raised position shown in full lines in Figs. 5 and 6.

Ifv during the next forward movement of the lay I0, the filling should be absent from the shed, the feeler wires 2| instead of bein held in partially raised position by the filling, drop into the lay cutout 20 during the initial phase of this movement, before the catch shoulder I2 on the pawl 50 has had a chance to rotate past the lever '50, as shown in Fig. 10. This lowers the trip 85 and causes the lever I3 to be rotated counterclockwise about the pivot axis at I4 and its outer end to be dropped into the notch II on the pawl 09. As the pawl 69 continues its clockwise rotation, the catch shoulder I2 on the pawl 69 engaging the outer end of the lever I3 pushes this lever endwise against the action of the springs 80 and closes thereby the switch 51, by the time the lay I0 reaches the front center position shown in Fig. 11. This energizes the solenoid 59 of the knock-off mechanism and shuts down the loom, in the manner described.

All filling picks are laid in the shed while the lay I0 moves through the back center interval backwards. The loom is started with the lay I0 in back center position to bring it up to speed before obtaining a first effective pick. Therefore, while the lay I0 is moving from the initial back center position to front center position, there is no filling in the shed and the detection of this absence by the filling stop motion would knock off the loom prematurely. To avoid this, there is provided a lock-out device shown in Figs. 1, l2 and 13 and comprising a switch I00, preferably of the normally open snap action type, mounted on the inner side of the outer frame plate I2 of the left loomside I3 by bolts I0l and spacers I02 and held between two smaller frame plates I03 supported by said bolts. The switch I00 is connected in series with the switch 51 in the circuit of the solenoid 50 through leads I05 connected to an outlet box I 06 secured to the inner side of the outer frame plate I2 of the right loomside I3. The lock-out switch I00 has a spring-pressed plunger I01 which is controlled through a shipper handle I08 secured to a shipper shaft H0 and which is operated by a substantially horizontal trip bolt III between the frameplates I03. The trip bolt III has a connection with the shipper shaft IIO comprising a crank arm II2 secured to said shipper shaft and having its outer end pivotally connected to one end of a link I I3, the other end being pivotally secured to a latch II I connected to the trip bolt III. The latch H4 is in the form of a flat plate having a lower tongue II5 extending into a slot H6 in the trip bolt II I and pivotally connected thereto by a pin III. A shoulder II8 on this latch is seated on the upper edge of the trip bolt III, when said trip bolt is in inoperative position shown in full lines in Fig. 12.

The trip bolt I I I is supported for substantially endwise movement by means of a parallel motion link mechanism comprising a pair of parallel inclined links I20 pivotally connected at I2I to said bolt and pivotally connected at I22 by pins extending between and secured to the frame plates I03. An inclined spring I23 parallel to the links I20 has one end secured to the trip bolt III through a short link I24 pivotally mounted in the pin III and has its other end anchored to a pin I 25 extending between and secured to the frame plate I03. The inclined links I20 supporting the trip bolt I II and the inclined spring I23 are arranged to hold the trip bolt III in either one of its two extreme positions shown in Figs. 12 and 13 and to snap said trip bolt into the other extreme position under the action of said spring once said links and said spring move past vertical position or dead center.

For moving the trip bolt III into switch closing position through the operation of the lay I0, with minimum of impact and shock, there is provided a tappet rod I30 having a slide fit in an upward end offset I3I in the trip bolt III and yieldably pressed outwardly by means of a coil spring I32.

In Fig. 12, the shipper handle I08 is shown in off or loom shut-down position C, the lay I0 is shown in back center position, the trip bolt III is in rearward position and the switch I00 is open. The circuit of the solenoid 59 of the knock-off mechanism, therefore, remains open regardless of the position of the switch 57 of the filling stop motion.

When the shipper handle I08 is shifted to the on position D, the shipper shaft H0 is rotated clockwise (Fig. 12) and this causes the connection H2, H3 and H4 between said shaft and the trip bolt I I I to assume the position shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 12 without disturbing said trip bolt.

The shifting of the shipper handle I08 into the on position D, starts the movement of the lay I0 forwardly from the back center position shown. During this initial forward movement of the lay I0, the absence of a filling in the shed does not energize the solenoid 59 of the knockoff mechanism and does not shut down the loom, since this mechanism is locked-out by the open switch I00. 1

As soon as the lay I0 reaches position near front center, the front side of said lay engages the spring-pressed tappet rod I30 and moves thereby the trip bolt I I I'Iorwardly endwise. This trip bolt snaps into position to engage the plunger I01 and to close thereby the switch I 00, as shown in Fig. 13, as soon as the links I20 and spring I23'move past vertical or dead center position, and is held in this position by said spring, until it is moved back by the rotation of the shipper shaft II 0 into loom shut-down position shown in Fig. 12. In the inoperative position of the look-out device shown in Fig. 13, the forwardly shifted position of the trip bolt II I causes the shoulder I I8 on the latch I I4 to seat on the upper edge of the trip bolt I I I. In this position of the trip bolt III, a slight clearance I35 is afforded between the forward side of the lay I0 in front center position and the head of the tappet rod I30, so that this tappet rod is not engaged by the lay I0 during its normal operations.

With the switch I00 closed, the loom is placed under control of. the filling stop motion in the manner described.

When the shipper shaft H isrotated into loom shut-down position by manipulation of the shipper handle I08 or by operation of the knockoiT mechanism, the counterclockwise rotation of said shipper shaft H 6 will cause the trip bolt lll to be shifted rearwardly into position shown in Fig. 12, to release the switch 100 for spring opening action. The trip bolt H! is soshifted by the connection H2, H3 and H4 from the shipper shaft H9, because of the seating enagement of the shoulder H8 on the latch M4 with the upper edge of said trip bolt.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to a specific embodiment, it is to be understood that it is. not to b limited thereto, but is to.- be construed broadly and restricted solely by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a loom having a lay, a motion for reciprocating said lay, and aloom knock-on mechanism, a filling stopmotion. comprising a feeler and actuating means therefor for sensing the. presence or absence of a filling, a member for controlling the operation. of said knock-elf mechanism, a transmission between said lay motion and saidv controlling member for operating said controlling member into loom knock-oil position, and means for establishing or interrupting said transmission in. accordance with the sensing, operation of said feeler.

2,. In a fillingv stop motion for a loom, a feeler and actuating means therefor for sensing the presence or absence of a filling, a switch forv con.- trolling the operation of a loom knock-off, a drive independent; of said feeler, a transmission from said drive to said switch to operate said switch, and means for establishing or interrupting said transmission in accordance with the sensing operation of said feeler.

3. Ina filling stop motion for a loom, a feeler and actuating meanstherefor operatable during each weaving cycle for sensing the presence or absence of a filling in the weaving shed, a switch for controlling the operation of a loom knockofi, a drive independent of said feeler but constituting part of the mechanism for operating the 100m through successive weaving cycles, a transmission, from said drive to said switch for operating said switch but normally interrupted during each cycle when said feeler senses the presence of a filling in the shed during the cycle, and means automatically operatable when said feeler senses the absence'of a filling in the shed during the cycle for establishing said transmission and for operating therebysaid switch into loom knock-off position.

l. In a loom-having areciprocablelay, a filling stop. motion. comprising a feeler and actuating meansltherefor for sensing. the presence or absence of a filling in the weaving shed, a switch for controlling the operation, of a loom knockoff; a transmission between said lay andsaid switch to operate said switch, and means. for establishing or interrupting said transmission in accordance with thesensing operation of said feeler-.-

In. a filling stop motion for aloom, a feeler movableinto position". to sense the presence or absenceof aiilling in. a weaving shed, feeler actuating,,means, a switch for controlling theoper- .ationoi; a; loom: knock-off", a. drive independent. of saidifeeler, a transmission from said drive to said switclrto operate said switch andcomprisa: mfim'ber movable into. or. out of motion.- transmitting position. means; operatable as lon as said feeler senses the presence of a filling in a Weaving shed during each weaving cycle for holding said transmission member out of motiontransmitting position and for maintaining there" by said transmissioninterrupted, and means automatically operata-ble when said feeler senses the absence of a filling in a shed during a weaving cycle for moving said transmission member into motion-transmitting position to establish said transmission and to operate thereby said switch into loom knock-off position.

6. In a loom having a reciproc'able lay, a filling stop motion of the center-fork type, comprising a center feel'er fork carried by the lay for sensing the presence or absence of a filling, feeler actuating means, a member for controlling the operation of a loom knock-off, a transmission between said lay and said controlling member for operating said controlling member into loom knock-oh position and comprising a member movable into or out of motion-transmitting position, means operatable as long as said feeler fork senses the presence of a filling during each weaving cycle for holding said transmission member out of motion-transmitting position and for maintaining thereby said transmission interrupted, and means automatically operatable when said feeler fork senses the absence of a filling during a Weaving cycle for moving said transmission member into motion transmitting position to establish-said transmission and to 0p erate thereby said controlling memberinto loom knock-off position.

7. Ina loom having a reciprocable lay, a filling stop motion comprising a feeler fork carried by said lay for sensing the-presence or absence of afilling, feeler actuating means, adrive-member on said lay, means for operating said drive memher by the reciprocable movement of said lay, a switch on said lay for controlling the operation of a loom knock-on", atransmission between said drive member and said switch carried by said layto operate said switch and'comprising a member movable into or out of motion transmitting position, means for normally maintaining said transmission member out of motion transmitting position and-for maintaining thereby said transmission interrupted, and means automatically operatable when said feeler fork sense the absence of a filling duringa weaving cycle for moving said transmission member iht'omotion transmitting position to establish said transmission and to operate thereby said switch into loom knockoff position.

8. In a loom havinga reciprocablelay; a filling stop motion comprising a feelerand actuating means therefor for sensing the presence or" absence of a filling during each weaving cyclaa member for controlling the operation of a loom knock off, a driveshaft, meansoperatable bythe reciprocable movement of said lay for rocking controlling member into loom-knockoff position.v

9. In a loom, a reciprocable-lay having a cutout across the topand afilling-stop motion of the centerfork'. type, comprising afeeler fork operat-able in and out of said lay cutout for sensing; the presence. or absence of a filling during each weaving cycle, a hub on the front of said lay supporting said feeler for angular movement into or out of filling sensing position with respect to said lay cutout, a drive shaft supported on said lay along the front thereof and below said hub, means operatable by the reciprocable movement of said lay for rocking said drive shaft, a dog mounted on said drive shaft and adapted to engage said hub when said dog is turned in one direction about the axis of said drive shaft to rotate said hub and to lift thereby said feeler fork into open position. a unidirectional clutch between said drive shaft and said dog for turning said dog in said direction during a part of each weaving cycle when said drive shaft is rotating in one direction and operatable during another part of each weaving cycle to release said hub for fork sensing operation when said drive shaft is rotating in the opposite direction, and means operatable when said feeler fork senses the absence of a filling during a weaving cycle for effecting shut-down of the loom.

10. In a loom, a reciprocable lay, and a filling stop motion comprising a feeler mounted for movement into filling sensing position and out of filling sensing position during each weaving cycle, a drive shaft, means operatable by the reciprocable movement of said lay for rotating said drive shaft, a connection between said drive shaft and said feeler for moving said feeler into open position during a period of each weaving cycle, means for releasing said connection during another period of each cycle to permit said feeler to move into filling sensing position, a switch for controlling the operation of a loom knock-off, a transmission between said drive shaft and said switch to operate said switch into loom knock-off position, said transmission being normally interrupted, and means automatically operatable when said feeler senses the absence of a filling during a weaving cycle for establishing said transmission to operate thereby said switch into loom knock-off position.

11. In a loom having a reciprocable lay, a filling stop motion comprising a feeler and actuating means therefor for sensing the presence or absence of a filling during each weaving cycle, a switch for controlling the operation of a loom knock-off, a drive shaft means operatable in accordan"e with the reciprocable movement of said lay for rocking said drive shaft, a pawl fastened to said shaft for rocking movement therewith and having a catch, a motion-transmitting member between said pawl and said switch movable into and out of the path of movement of said pawl catch, means for normally maintaining said motion transmitting member out of the path of movement of said pawl catch, and means automatically operatable when said feeler senses the absence of a filling during a weaving cycle for moving said motion transmitting member into the path of movement of said pawl catch to transmit motion from said drive shaft to said switch and to operate thereby said switch into loom knock-off position.

12. In a loom having a reciprocable lay, a filling stop motion comprising a feeler and actuating means therefor for sensing the presence or absence of a filling during each weaving cycle, a hub supporting said feeler for movement into and out of filling sensing position, a switch for controlling the operation of a loom knock-01f, a drive shaft, means operatable in accordance with the reciprocable movement of said lay for rocking said drive shaft, a pawl fastened to said shaft for r ck g movement therewith and having a catch, a lever between said pawl and said switch below said hub movable angularly up and out of the path of movement of said pawl catch or down into the path of movement of said pawl catch, spring means normally maintaining said lever in raised position out of the path of movement of said pawl catch, and a trip with a slot at one end straddling said lever and engaged by said feeler hub, said trip being adapted to be moved by said hub into position to depress said lever into the path of movement of said pawl catch when said feeler senses the absence of a filling during a weaving cycle and to cause thereby operation of said switch into loom knock-off position.

13. In a filling stop motion for a loom, a feeler and actuating means thereof for sensing the presence or absence of a filling, a switch for controlling the operation of a loom knock-01f having a contact plunger, a drive independent of said feeler and operatable in accordance with the lay motion, and a transmission from said drive to said switch to operate said switch and comprising a pawl having a catch operated by said drive, a lever pivotally supported on said plunger and movable about its pivot support in and out of the path of movement of said catch, means normally maintaining said lever in position out of the path of movement of said pawl catch, and means for moving said lever about its pivot support into the path of movement of said pawl catch when the absence of a filling has been detected by said feeler for operating said switch into loom knockoff position.

14. In a loom, a lay movable backwards and forwards and having a cutout across its top near the center, a filling stop motion of the centerfeeler type comprising a feeler fork, a hub mounted on the forward side of said lay supporting said feeler fork for angular movement towards and away from said cutout, spring means urging said hub in position to urge said feeler fork towards said lay cutout, into filling sensing position, a shaft mounted on the forward side of said lay below said hub, means operated by the movement of the lay for rocking said shaft in one direction during the backward movement of the lay and in the opposite direction during the forward movement of the lay, a connection between said shaft and said hub for positively raising said feeler fork into open position away from said cutout and against the action of said spring means, while said lay is moving backwards, said connection being automatically releasable during the forward movement of the lay to permit said feeler fork to drop under the action of said spring means, onto the filling laid in the shed, a switch for controlling the operation of a'loom knock-off connected to the lower side of said lay and having a contact plunger, a pawl secured to said shaft for rocking movement therewith and having a, catch, a lever pivotally secured to said plunger and movable about its pivot support in and out of the path of movement of said catch during forward movement of said lay, spring means urging said lever out of the path of movement of said catch, and a trip between said hub and said lever operated during forward movement of said lay by said hub into position to move the lever in the path of movement of said catch and against the action of said last mentioned spring means, when said feeler fork drops far enough into said lay cutout as the result of the absence of a filling in the shed, whereby said pawl moves said lever and thereby 13 through said plunger moves said switch into loom knock-E position.

15. In a loom having a lay, a center filling stop motion having a switch controlling a loom knockoff and closed when the absence of a filling is sensed, and lock-out means for said stop motion comprising a second switch in series with said first switch, means maintaining said switch open when said loom is shut-down and during the first forward stroke of the lay after loom start-up, whereby said stop motion is rendered inoperative, and means for closing said switch automatically near the end of said first forward stroke of the lay, for rendering said stop motion operative thereafter.

16. In a loom having a lay, a center filling stop motion, and lock-out means for automatically rendering said stop motion inoperative during the first forward stroke of the lay after loom start-up and for automatically rendering said stop motion operative after said first forward stroke of the lay, and comprising a switch controlling the operativeness or inoperativeness of said stop motion, a movable piece between said lay and said switch in the path of movement of said lay and adapted to be engaged by said lay when it reaches near front center position, and to be moved thereby from an inactive position into an active position against said switch, whereby said switch is operated into stop motion lock-out position, and means for moving said movable piece into said inactive position automatically upon loom shutdowns, to release said switch and to thereby lockout said stop motion.

17. In a loom, the combination as described in claim 16, comprising a shipper shaft, the means for moving said movable piece into said inactive position upon loom shut-downs comprising a connection between said shaft and said movable piece including a latch operatable to move said movable piece into said inactive position when said shaft is turned into loom shut-down position, but automatically operatable to permit said shaft to be turned into loom start-up position, without disturbing the inactive position of said movable piece.

18. In a loom, the combination as described in claim 16, comprising a spring-snap mounting for said movable piece, operatable to move said movable piece in either one of its positions by springsnap action after passing dead center position.

19. In a loom, the combination as described in claim 16, comprising a spring-snap mounting for said movable piece operatable to move said.

start-up and for automatically rendering said stop motion operative after said first forward stroke of the lay and comprising a switch controlling the operativeness or inoperativenes of said stop motion, a trip bolt between the lay and the switch, a spring-snap mounting for said bolt permitting said bolt to move endwise and snapping said bolt into either one of two, extreme positions after passing dead center position and comprising parallel motion links and a spring, said bolt in one of said extreme positions engaging said switch and maintaining it in position to render said stop motion operative, and in its other of said extreme positions being spaced from said switch and being adapted to be engaged by said lay when it reaches near front center position and to be moved thereby into said first extreme switch-engaging position, and means for moving said trip bolt into said other extreme position automatically upon loom shut-downs to release said switch and to render thereby said stop motion inoperative.

21. In a loom having a lay and a shipper shaft, a center filling stop motion, and lock-out means for automatically rendering said stop motion inoperative during the first forward stroke of the loom after loom start-up and for automatically rendering said stop motion operative after said first forward stroke of the lay and comprising a. switch controlling the operativeness or inoperativeness of said stop motion, a trip bolt between the lay and the switch, means mounting said trip bolt for endwise movement into either one of two extreme positions, said bolt in one of said extreme positions engaging said switch and maintaining it in position to render said stop motion operative, and in its other of said extreme positions being spaced from said switch and being adapted to be engaged by said lay when it reaches near front center position and to be moved thereby into said first extreme switch engaging position, and a connection between said shaft and said trip bolt including a crank arm secured to said shaft, a latch pivotally secured to. said trip bolt, and a link between said latch and said crank arm pivotally secured thereto, said latch having a shoulder engaging said trip bolt when said shaft is turned into loom shut-down position to move said trip bolt into said other extreme position, said latch turning idly about its pivot connection with said trip bolt, when said shaft is turned into loom start-up position.

JOHN J. STANLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,243,831 Gagnon Oct. 23, 1917 1,360,487 Zeedyk Nov. 30, 1920 1,398,713 Brown Nov. 29, 1921 1,480,736 Northrop Jan. 15, 1924 1,791,789. Burdett Feb. 10, 1931 2,461,493 Clentimack Feb. 8, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 400,891 Great Britain Nov. 2, 1933 675,283 Germany May 5, 1939 

